10 Foods That Damage Your Skin

By Pooja Kaushal

Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 12:14 [IST]

With the multitude of options available it becomes imperative to ask oneself what foods are good for us and what are not.

In fact the subject of foods and its relation to the body is vast and different foods affect different parts of the body. Here we take a look at foods that affect skin health adversely.

Our skin acts as a representative to our overall health. A person who is healthy will possess good skin because it is well nourished.

Foods That Are Bad For Skin

On the contrary unhealthy foods will adversely affect the skin. Skin starts looking dull, there is a lack of luster and there can be frequent breakouts.

Unhealthy foods that affect your skin go one to cause damage to other parts of the body as well.

Moderation is the key to good health. Given here are foods that have seen to cause troubles in the skin health area. But this again happens when you tend to overdo things.

Many of the items mentioned here are not absolutely unhealthy but when consumed beyond limits they tend to cause problems.

1. Aerated Drinks

Hands down aerated drinks are unhealthy for one and all. They contain nothing but alarmingly large quantities of sugar along with a good dose of caffeine.

The more you drink the more damage you do. Your skin will start looking dull and lifeless with the aging process given a good kick.

2. Alcohol

In small quantities this is not bad but when you tend to overdo alcohol the effects will start showing. Alcohol happens to be extremely dehydrating and excessive consumption will rob the skin off its moisture.

3. Fried Foods

Oil is needed for the skin but the right kind and is the proper amount. They form an unhealthy layer on the skin, trap bacteria and lead to breakouts. Those suffering from acne are often advised to stay away from fried foods.

4. Sugars

It is not necessary that the sugar one has only comes from candies. In fact most packaged foods contain sugar and this ingredient finds its way into our system in multiple ways.

The pre-packed fruit smoothies, fruit juices, ready to eat foods and premixes have sugar on their ingredient list.

5. Refined Flours

Foods that affect skin adversely include the much used white breads, in fact all products containing refined flours.

These foods are high in the glycemic index giving the body an increased dose of glucose and further leading to skin problems. Switch to whole grains to experience healthier skin.

6. Caffeine

In moderate amounts it is fine but more than three cups of coffee a day can be bad for the skin. Being diuretic coffee dehydrates you.

It also gives rise to the production of cortisol with speeds up your aging process.

7. Processed Foods

Processed means being stripped off all nutritional content, addition of preservatives, flavor enhancers, artificial coloring, hydrogenated oils, lots of salt and sugar for sure.

This is the perfect recipe to give your skin a total setback.

8. Packed Cereals

Packaged cereals are one of the most popular ingredients for breakfast for many. But be careful as most of these cereals contain nothing more that refined flours.

They also contain sugar, corn syrup and artificial sweeteners to make them lip smacking. Do not go by commercial promises but read the ingredients. If it is whole and free of added sugar you have the right product.

9. Artificial sweeteners

These may be advertised as aides in weight loss attempts but are unhealthy foods that affect skin. With zero nutritional value they can go on to cause inflammations and skin problems.

10. Salt

Salt can prove to be very bad for the skin. It tends to absorb and retain water giving the skin a puffed look. It can also be a cause of increased skin breakouts.

Make sure never to add tabletop salt and if needed let it be the rock salt. The processed iodized salt is a major culprit for skin problems.